Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had a narrow escape in Alibaug, Raigad as the helicopter he was about board suddenly took off. The alertness of a security guard saved his life.

Fadnavis, who had gone to Alibaug in neighbouring Raigad district to attend the birthday celebrations of PWP leader Jayant Patil, and to inaugurate of a new theatre complex in the city, was returning to Mumbai from helipad at JSW’s Dolvi-Dharamtar port.

Around 2 pm when Fadnavis was trying to board the helicopter, it suddenly took off and the rotor tilted. The chopper’s fan blade would have hit the Chief Minister, but an alert security guard pulled him away to safety, averting a potential accident, reliable sources have said.

As recently as May 25, Fadnavis had escaped unhurt when his helicopter had to crash land immediately after taking off at Nilanga in Latur district.